Swiftech Microdrive 320 Revison 2 - B model (without pump)

Swiftech Microdrive 320 Revison 2 - B model (without pump)

Introduction

Following the initial introduction of the patent pending MCR Drive™ series of integrated radiator and pump heat exchangers, Revision 2 takes these revolutionary products to yet another level of functionality and performance with two major improvements:

While the radiators in the initial release were only fully functional in vertical orientation, they are now fully functional in both vertical and horizontal orientations thanks to a new reservoir design; this adds the much sought after top-of-the case installation to the range of configurations;

The inclusion of Swiftech's new PWM motherboard-controlled MCP35X pump, which can operate at variable speed from 1300rpm to 4500 rpm, compared to a fixed speed of 3500 rpm in the earlier version; this new functionality allows users to fully tune the product to their needs and/or preferences, from virtually silent operations at low speed, to ultra high flow at maximum speed for optimum performance with multiple water-blocks and/or radiators in the cooling loop.

The MCR Drive™ heat exchangers are available in two versions: dual 120mm, and triple 120mm, and in two configurations each, with or without the pump.

Summary of Features and Benefits

• The dual or triple 120mm radiator form factors provide 2 to 3 times the heat dissipation capacity afforded by the single 120mm radiators found in entry level kits.

Superior performance headroom

Substantially reduced operating temperatures

Ability to daisy-chain multiple water-blocks in the loop with reduced impact on CPU cooling performance

Higher overclocks

• The high-pressure MCP35X pump now runs at up to 4500 rpm, and allows vastly superior system flow rates than comparably sized pumps found in entry level kits, allowing users to daisy-chain multiple water-blocks in the loop.

• Integration of the pump into the radiator reduces the overall system pressure drop compared to conventional setups.

• Only the water-block(s) will need to be changed in case of platform upgrade.

Future-proof concept reduces the cost of ownership over the long term, and guarantees that the core cooling system can be migrated from one computer to another.

Performance

Performance curves of the radiators are similar to their respective non-integrated counterparts (MCRX20 QP series). However, overall system pressure drop is noticeably improved compared to a traditional setup comprising a separate pump and reservoir due to a substantial reduction in the length of the flow path, as well as in the number of fittings (2 fittings instead of 6).

Here is a summarized table of results; these tests were performed with Ci7 920 overclocked to 4.1Ghz and running at 1.39v; please also refer to the articles linked above for full configuration details, results and explanations.

Case compatibility for internal installation

We scouted the web and various forums to identify cases that are compatible for preferably "bolt-on" internal installation, or with very minor modifications; we also contacted various case manufacturers and enquired which of their models would be compatible. Here is a compilation of what we found at the time of this publication; please note that the (*) next to the listed models indicates that they were either validated by us, or listed as compatible by their respective manufacturers. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the provided information for models that we have not validated in house.